Largest ever annual event helps large, small businesses support the warfighter

1 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –Nearly 300 participants, which included members of small and large businesses as well as government, Northeastern Pennsylvania and chamber representatives, were reminded of the significance of their role as industry partners and informed of the multitude of opportunities available. (Photo Credit: Thomas Robbins)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –Nearly 300 participants, which included members of small and large businesses as well as government, Northeastern Pennsylvania and chamber representatives, were reminded of the significance of their role as industry partners and informed of the multitude of opportunities available. (Photo Credit: Thomas Robbins)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –Nearly 300 participants, which included members of small and large businesses as well as government, Northeastern Pennsylvania and chamber representatives, were reminded of the significance of their role as industry partners and informed of the multitude of opportunities available. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)VIEW ORIGINAL

Col. Nathan M. Swartz, depot commander, welcomed local, regional and national businesses to Tobyhanna Army Depot's Industry Day on April 8.

"We are proud of all we have done here, but we can't do it without our industry partners," said Swartz.

Nearly 300 participants, which included members of small and large businesses as well as government, Northeastern Pennsylvania and chamber representatives, were reminded of the significance of their role as industry partners and informed of the multitude of opportunities available.

Guests attended from local areas to some of the farthest states in the country, including Maine, Florida, Utah and California.

"A strong partnership between government and industry is essential to the success of our nation's security and readiness," said Mark Blasko, chief of the Production Management Directorate's Sustainment Planning Division.

Tobyhanna has been establishing partnerships for over 20 years in order to fulfill readiness requirements.

"If there are any gaps at Tobyhanna, the people in this room can fill them," assured Joe Lynott, chief of the C4ISR Directorate's C3 Division.

Both seasoned veterans and fresh faces joined Team Tobyhanna at the event, which included a tour of Tobyhanna's mission facilities as well as partnering, capability and contract briefings from depot personnel.

Bill Corcoran Jr. of Corcoran Printing in Wilkes-Barre attended the event for the first time with his father. Corcoran Printing is a family-run small-business that was started in 1940.
"We hope to learn more about your organization and how we can be a resource for the depot," said Corcoran.

Another attendee, Chris Spaulding, was familiar with the depot's name from his 15 years of military service. Spaulding attended the event as a representative of Collins Aerospace, a technology company with over 70,000 employees worldwide.

"I am really impressed with how organized this event was--all the way from the gate to my seat," said Spaulding, giving praise to the professionalism of all involved.

The speakers offered a wide variety of information that overall tied into the importance of mutually-beneficial business partnerships.

"My friends at Tobyhanna have been a true partner to industry as well as to the warfighter," said Barber, validating the depot's initiatives.

Box added to the benefits of Tobyhanna's business opportunities by discussing the affects on local economies.

Ryan concluded his speech about how technology can significantly enhance military with the famous Winston Churchill quote, "We are shaping the world faster than we can change ourselves, and we are applying to the present the habits of the past,"--inspiring collaboration with the goal of innovation.